This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle has about 150,000 miles and the frame is rusted through and unsafe to drive. The truck runs great, but because of the frame I can no longer dive this on the roads.
I purchased this vehicle from a neighbor who bought it new. He took impeccable care of his vehicles so I was very confident in the purchase. Less than 2 years after we bought it from him, one of the rear stabilizers tore loose from the frame rail. After going underneath to inspect the damage, there was a lot of holes and major corrosion that appeared to have started from the inside of the frame. I thought to myself that with this solid box style frame, why is there no means for any water or condensation that builds up inside the frame to get out. I was going to have it repaired until I inspected it further and whacked a few places with a hammer and sent it right through the frame! it was a shame because it ran excellent and I'm confident it would have went another 100,000 miles. Instead I was forced to sell it for a parts vehicle and lost over $3000 on the deal. If this can happen to a vehicle that was taken care of like a collector car, I can't imagine how fast they can fall apart if they're actually neglected. It's too bad this happens because they are a fantastic vehicle other than this issue.
The frames on these Toyota 4runners (1996-2002) are cheaply made and rot from the inside out even in states with little salt, they use thin cheap steel, the differential housings also leak due to proous thin cheaply made 'steel'. Toyota needs to step up to the plate on this one. My vehicles frame is rotting from the inside out aswell as the differential housing. They did a frame recall on the Tacoma, sequoias, etc, this is no different!
I have a 1999 Toyota 4runner. I am the original owner, and this vehicle has been garage keep and well maintained since I have owned it. While driving on the highway at about 55mph on 10/18/16, without warning - the 4runner began to shake violently from side to side... I almost lost control of the 4runner and could have been involved in a serious accident. The reason I lost control of the 4runner is because of a serious rusting issue in the frame (this issue has been well documented on the NHTSA, and also many other websites). The reason this rusting issue is so dangerous is where the rusting has occurred. The frame is rusting right at the section that the lower control arm bracket is welded to the frame. The lower control arm bracket is attached to the link/bar that holds the rear axle in place. The rust on my 4runner frame caused the lower control arm bracket on the drivers side to completely separate from the frame, causing a loss of control of the vehicle (see attached photos). I check the control arm bracket on the passenger side, and it also shows the same severe rusting at the frame where the control arm bracket is attached. There are still many 3rd generation 4runners on the road, and I feel this rusting situation is putting many lives in danger. There is no warning, you just lose control. I understand that my 4runner is 17 years old... but as I mentioned earlier, the rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape. A frame should not rust this badly, especially in a critical section. Please hold Toyota accountable for a vehicle defect that is putting live in danger. Thank you.
Auto repair shop tells me I have significant frame rust/rot. It's actually begun to fail in passenger side rear. This was discovered during unrelated service. Feels action required to make safe.
Frame on 1999 Toyota 4runner was inspected by mechanic at local Toyota dealership. Informed us that frame was rusted through, with hole being big enough to put your hand through. Advised us not to drive the vehicle as it was unsafe and could cause an accident. Vehicle is now parked and worth nothing to us. Please take the time to move forward with an investigation regarding this issue before people are seriously injured or killed in accidents resulting from this problem that they may not even know they have.
Frame rusting though on passenger side on section next to muffler and control arm. Mechanic inspected and instructed frame needs to be repaired or replaced. Mileage of vehicle was 133,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear passenger side frame exhibited excessive rust corroision near the control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the frame was severely damaged beyond repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.
I brought my recently purchased 1999 Toyota 4runner into my local Toyota dealership to bring my services up to date and was later informed there's an approximately 3 foot section of the right rear frame that is rotted through. In addition, they told me that the left rear section of the frame by the spring mount is also rusted through in multiple places. The previous owner had made a repair attempt on the passenger side that needs to be repaired aging. There are also a few more spots that are rusted all the way through and I was advised to not drive the vehicle.
Driving on the expressway and the rear end started to sway back and forth. Had to exit and took the car to the mechanic who said the bracket was rotted as well as the frame where it was attached to. Said he has never seen anything like this before.
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. While at an independent mechanic for inspection, the mechanic noticed corossion on the subframe of the vehicle and stated that the sub frame needed to be welded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shakopee, MN, USA